By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Photo: Corleve/Mark Peterson
Venus Williams is taking her game to Auckland.
Williams, 45, has accepted a wild card to play in the ASB Classic in Auckland, set for January 5-11, tournament organizers announced today.
In Auckland, Venus will play her first match outside North American territory since losing to Elina Svitolina in the first round of Wimbledon 2023.
“Legend status, the one and only, game-changer, all-time great Venus Williams will return for the ASB Classic26,” tournament organizers announced on social media today.
Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus will return to Auckland a decade after beating Caroline Wozniacki to capture the Auckland 2015 crown and 26 years after winning singles and doubles gold medals at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics.
Venus Williams fell to 13th seed Karolina Muchova in three sets in the first round of the 2025 US Open and teamed up with Leylah Fernandez to advance to the US Open doubles quarterfinals.
Overall, Williams went 1-3 in singles matches in 2025, defeating Peyton Stearns in her comeback match at the Mubadala Citi Open in Washington, DC.
